Focused Research Groups in the Mathematical Sciences

The NSF’s Focused Research Groups in the Mathematical Sciences (FRGMS) program (NSF 23-621) seeks to support collaborative research efforts aimed at solving significant and well-defined mathematical science challenges. These challenges should have the potential for a major impact within mathematics, statistics, or related fields. The program encourages interdisciplinary projects, allowing for the involvement of scientists and engineers alongside mathematicians and statisticians to tackle complex research questions that benefit from a collaborative approach. Proposals are expected to present high-risk, innovative research plans that would benefit from group synergy, where team collaboration is essential for successful outcomes.

This program offers standard or continuing grants with an anticipated annual funding level of approximately $12 million, contingent on budget availability. Between five to ten awards are expected each year. Funding is intended for projects spanning up to three years, with possible extensions of up to two additional years for projects demonstrating substantial progress. Proposed budgets may range from $150,000 to $500,000 per year, and costs must be fully justified. Voluntary cost-sharing is prohibited, and indirect cost limitations do not apply. Awardees are required to submit annual and final project reports via NSF's Research.gov system.

Eligibility is open to U.S.-based institutions of higher education, including community colleges, which can submit proposals on behalf of their faculty. Proposals involving international branch campuses are allowed if justified. Although there are no restrictions on who may serve as a Principal Investigator (PI), a PI or co-PI may only participate in one FRGMS proposal at a time due to the level of commitment required. Collaborative submissions from multiple organizations are encouraged.

Applicants must prepare a 23-page proposal that includes a scientific context, a detailed research plan, an impact statement, and a management plan describing the collaborative structure and decision-making process. Proposals should be submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov and must comply with NSF’s Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Applications are reviewed based on NSF’s criteria for intellectual merit and broader societal impacts, alongside FRGMS-specific criteria such as the timeliness, collaborative necessity, and anticipated impact of the project.

Key deadlines for proposal submission are December 6, 2023, and September 11, 2024, with future deadlines set for the second Wednesday in September each year. Awards are typically announced in April following each submission date. For program-specific guidance, applicants can consult designated NSF program officers listed in the solicitation document【12†source】.